Power chute racking device therefor

ABSTRACT

A power chute racking device is disclosed for racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mix truck. A first chute section is pivotally secured to the discharge chute support means at the rearward end of the mix truck. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to the chute support means and the lower end of the first chute section for raising and lowering the lower end of the first chute section. A second discharge chute section is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of the first discharge chute section and a third discharge chute section is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of the second discharge chute section. A telescoping link means extends between the discharge chute support means and the upper end of the second discharge chute section. The telescoping link means comprises a first link member pivotally secured at one end thereof to the discharge chute support means and having its other end slidably received by one end of a second link member which is pivotally secured to the second discharge chute member. The telescoping link means also comprises a link stop which is moveable into engagement with the second link member to limit the inward slidable movement of the first link member into the second link member at times. The chute sections are racked by first pivotally folding the third chute section over on top of the second chute section. The hydraulic cylinder is then extended so that the link stop can be engaged. After the link stop has been engaged, the hydraulic cylinder is retracted so that the telescoping link means causes the second discharge chute section, and the third discharge chute section folded thereon, to be folded over on top of the first discharge chute section. The discharge chute sections can be lowered by reversing the procedure outlined above.

United States Patent 1 Johnson POWER CHUTE RACKING DEVICE THEREFOR A[75] Inventor: James E. Johnson, Waterloo, Iowa '[73] Assignee:Construction Machinery Company,

p 7V 7 Black Hawk County, Iowa 22 Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:287,673

[52] US. Cl. 193/10, 193/6 [51] Int. Cl. 865g 11/00 [58] Field of Search193/5, 4, 10, 16, 193/17 [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 847,160 7/1970 Canada 193/10 Primary Examiner-Evon C. BlunkAssistant Examiner-H. S. Lane Attorney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte [451 Nov.27, 1973 lower end of the first chute section. A second discharge chutesection is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of thefirst discharge chute section and a third discharge chute section ispivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of the seconddischarge chute section. A telescoping link means extends between thedischarge chute support means and the upper end of the second dischargechute section. The telescoping link means comprises a first link memberpivotally secured at one end thereof to the discharge chute supportmeans and having its other end slidably received by one end of a secondlink member which is pivotally secured to the second discharge chutemember. The telescoping link means also comprises a link stop which ismoveable into engagement with the second link member to limit the inwardslidable movement of the first link member into the second link memberat times. The chute sections are racked by first pivotally folding thethird chute section over on top of the second chute section. Thehydraulic cylinder is then extended so that the link stop can beengaged. After the link stop has been engaged, the hydraulic cylinder isretracted so that the telescoping link means causes the second dischargechute section, and the third discharge chute section folded thereon, tobe folded over on top of the first discharge chute section. Thedischarge chute sections can be lowered by reversing the procedureoutlined above.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED NOV 27 I975 SHEET .1 CF 2PATENTEUNM'I 1975 3,714,741

POWER CI-IUTE RACKING DEVICE THEREFOR A problem facing the truck driverof a concrete mix truck is the lifting and the handling of the chuteextensions on the discharge chute. As many as three discharge chutesections are normally employed and at least one of the discharge chuteextensions must be removed from the discharge chute when the dischargechute is to be folded to an inoperative position. The discharge chutesection or extension which has been removed must be stowed on the truckwhich is obviously a time consuming and inefficient operation.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a powerchute racking device for racking the discharge chute sections of aconcrete mix truck.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute rackingdevice which permits the carrying and racking of one more chute sectionthan is possible with conventional devices.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute rackingdevice including a telescoping link means which may be selectivelyoperated to cause the second and third chute sections to be folded overon top of the first discharge chute section upon actuation of thehydraulic cylinder connected to the first discharge chute section.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute rackingdevice which eliminates the need for removing the lowermost dischargechute section when the discharge chute is to be placed in an inoperativecondition for traveling purposes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute rackingdevice which is economical in manufacture, durable in use, and refinedin appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, andcombination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objectscontemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth,specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a side view of a concrete mix truck having the device of thisinvention mounted thereon:

FIG. 2 is a top view of the devices as seen along lines 22 of FIG. Iwith portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention:

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the telescoping link means:

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the chutes in their extended position andthe telescoping link stop disengaged:

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except that the lowermost chutesection has been pivoted on top of the second chute section and thehydraulic cylinder extended and the telescoping link stop engaged:

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating the manner inwhich the second and third chute sections are folded over on top of thefirst section; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the chute sections in their folded conditions.

The numeral 10 refers to conventional concrete mix truck having adischarge chute support means 12 at the rearward end thereof. A chutesection 14 is pivotally connected at its upper end about a horizontalaxis at 16 to the support means 12. A double acting hydraulic cylinder18 is pivotally connected at its base end to the support means 12 and ispivotally connected at its rod end to bracket 20 secured to the lowerend of the chute section 14. The numeral 22 refers to an over-centertoggle secured to one side of the chute section 14 and having a chain 24secured thereto. A plate 26 is secured to the free end of the chain 24and has an opening 28 formed therein. The numeral 30 refers to a rubberfaced bumper secured to the chute section 14.

Chute section 32 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lowerend of chute section I4 at 34. Chute section 36 is pivotally connectedat its upper end to the lower end of chute section 32 at 38. A chainanchor stud 40 is secured to chute section 32 at one side thereof andextends outwardly therefrom adapted to have the plate 26 on chain24'received thereon as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The numeral 42 refers generally to a telescoping link means comprisinglink members 44 and 46. Link member 46 is pivotally connected about ahorizontal axis to a pin 48 secured to and extending laterally outwardlyof the upper end of chute section 32. A shaft 50 is pivotally securedabout a horizontal axis to the support means 12 as illustrated in FIG.2. The upper end of link member 44 is pivotally mounted on the outer ofthe shaft 50 as illustrated in the drawings. A telescoping link stop 52is also mounted on the shaft 50 and may be moved between the disengagedposition seen in FIG. 4 to the engaged position seen in FIG. 5 throughthe use of the shaft 50. Link stop 52 comprises arms 54 and 56 having astop 58 secured to the ends thereof and extending therebetween. Thenumeral 60 refers to a limit element secured to the upper end of link 46which is adapted to receive the stop 58 therebeneath as also illustratedin the drawing.

Assuming that the discharge chute sections 14, 32,

and 36 are in their extended position as illustrated in FIG. 4, thenormal method of racking the same is as follows. Chute section 36 isfolded over so as to engage the upper end of chute section 32 asillustrated in FIG. 5. The hydraulic cylinder 18 is then actuated sothat the rod thereof is extended which causes the chute section 14, andhence chute sections 32 and 34, to be pivotally raised. When the chutesections have been pivotally raised to the position of FIG.'5, the linkstop 52 is then moved from the disengaged position of FIG. 4 to itsengaged position so that the element 58 will be positioned below theelement 60. The hydraulic cylinder 18 is then actuated to withdraw therod thereof thereinto. The link stop 52 prevent slidably movementbetween link members 44 and 46 which causes the telescoping link means42 to apply a force to the chute section 32 so that the second chutesection will be raised upwardly into the racked position against thebumper 30. Plate 26 on chain 24 is then placed over the anchor stud 40and the toggle 22 moved to the locked position. FIG. 7 illustrates thehydraulic cylinder 18 in the fully retracted position while the chutesbeing in the upend locked position.

The discharge chute sections can be lowered into their operativeposition by reversing the procedure outlined above. The toggle 22 isreleased to permit the plate 26 to be removed from the anchor stud 40.The hydraulic cylinder is actuated to extend the rod therefrom whichcauses the chute section 32 to pivotally move with respect to the chutesection 14 from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 5. Thelink stop 52 is then moved to its disengaged position so that thehydraulic cylinder 18 can be retracted. Retraction of the cylinder 18with the link stop 52 in the disengaged position permits the chutesections to be moved to the position of FIG. 4. The chute section 36 isthen also manually pivoted downwardly to its operative position.

Thus it can be seen that a novel power racking device has been providedfor racking the chute sections of a concrete mix truck. The powerracking device disclosed herein permits an additional chute section tobe racked without the necessity for removing the same for storing on themix truck. The power racking device of this invention does not interferewith the normal operation of the mix truck and provides a convenientmeans for racking the discharge chutes. Thus it can be seen ,that thedevice accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. A power chute racking device for a concrete mix truck comprising, adischarge chute support means at the rearward end of the mix truck, afirst discharge chute section at least pivotally secured about ahorizontal axis to said support means and having upper and lower ends,

a hydrauliccylinder means secured to said first discharge chute sectionfor raising and lowering the lower end thereof with respect to the mixtruck, second discharge chute section having upper and lower ends andbeing pivotally connected at its upper end about a horizontal axis tothe lower end of said first discharge chute section,

a telescoping link means comprising a first link member having first andsecond ends and being operatively pivotally secured at its first end tosaid support means, a second link member having first and second endsand having its first end telesopically receiving the said second end ofsaid first link member, said second end of said second link member beingpivotally connected to its upper end of said second discharge chutesection at a location below the pivotal connection of said first andsecond discharge chute sections, and a link stop for selectiveengagement with said second link member to limit the inward slidablemovement of said first link member into said second link member as saidhydraulic cylinder means is retracted so that said second dischargechute section will be pivotally folded upwardly with respect to saidfirst discharge chute section.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a third discharge chute section havingupper and lower ends is pivotally connected at its upper end to thelower end of said second discharge chute section.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said link stop comprises an elongatedmember having first and second ends, said elongated member beingoperatively pivotally connected at its first end to the said first endof said first link member, said second end of said linkstop adapted toselectively engage the said first end of said second link member.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said second link member has means atits first end to facilitate the selective engagement of said link stopwith said second link member.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said link stop comprises spaced apartarms having opposite ends and being pivotally secured at one end to saidfirst end of said first link member, a bar secured to and extendingbetween the outer ends of said arms, said link stop being selectivelymovable from an inoperative position to a position wherein said barengages the first end of said second link member.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein a retainer means extends from saidfirst end of said second link member over said bar when said bar is inengagement with said second link member. 1

7. The device of claim 1 wherein means is provided on said firstdischarge chute section for selectively maintaining said seconddischargechute section in its folded position.

8. The method of racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mixtruck having at least upper and lower discharge chute sections supportedon a chute support means at the rearward end of the truck and ahydraulic cylinder means connected to the upper chute section forraising and lowering the same, comprising the steps of:

extending the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder so that said chutesections are pivotally raised,

positioning an elongated member between the chute support means and theupper end of said lower chute section,

retracting the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder to cause saidelongated member to pivotally fold said lower chute section at leastpartially over on top of the upper chute section.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein a further chute section is pivotallyconnected at its upper end to the lower end of said lower chute section,said further chute section being folded over on top of said lower chutesection before said cylinder rod is initially extended.

1. A power chute racking device for a concrete mix truck comprising, adischarge chute support means at the rearward end of the mix truck, afirst discharge chute section at least pivotally secured about ahorizontal axis to said support means and having upper and lower ends, ahydraulic cylinder means secured to said first discharge chute sectionfor raising and lowering the lower end thereof with respect to the mixtruck, a second discharge chute section having upper and lower ends andbeing pivotally connected at its upper end about a horizontal axis tothe lower end of said first discharge chute section, a telescoping linkmeans comprising a first link member having first and second ends andbeing operatively pivotally secured at its first end to said supportmeans, a second link member having first and second ends and having itsfirst end telesopically receiving the said second end of said first linkmember, said second end of said second link member being pivotallyconnected to its upper end of said second discharge chute section at alocation below the pivotal connection of said first and second dischargechute sections, and a link stop for selective engagement with saidsecond link member to limit the inward slidable movement of said firstlink member into said second link member as said hydraulic cylindermeans is retracted so that said second discharge chute section will bepivotally folded upwardly with respect to said first discharge chutesection.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein a third discharge chutesection having upper and lower ends is pivotally connected at its upperend to the lower end of said second discharge chute section.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said link stop comprises an elongated memberhaving first and second ends, said elongated member being operativelypivotally connected at its first end to the said first end of said firstlink member, said second end of said link stop adapted to selectivelyengage the said first end of said second link member.
 4. The device ofclaim 3 wherein said second link member has means at its first end tofacilitate the selectiVe engagement of said link stop with said secondlink member.
 5. The device of claim 3 wherein said link stop comprisesspaced apart arms having opposite ends and being pivotally secured atone end to said first end of said first link member, a bar secured toand extending between the outer ends of said arms, said link stop beingselectively movable from an inoperative position to a position whereinsaid bar engages the first end of said second link member.
 6. The deviceof claim 5 wherein a retainer means extends from said first end of saidsecond link member over said bar when said bar is in engagement withsaid second link member.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein means isprovided on said first discharge chute section for selectivelymaintaining said second discharge chute section in its folded position.8. The method of racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mixtruck having at least upper and lower discharge chute sections supportedon a chute support means at the rearward end of the truck and ahydraulic cylinder means connected to the upper chute section forraising and lowering the same, comprising the steps of: extending thecylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder so that said chute sections arepivotally raised, positioning an elongated member between the chutesupport means and the upper end of said lower chute section, retractingthe cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder to cause said elongatedmember to pivotally fold said lower chute section at least partiallyover on top of the upper chute section.
 9. The method of claim 8 whereina further chute section is pivotally connected at its upper end to thelower end of said lower chute section, said further chute section beingfolded over on top of said lower chute section before said cylinder rodis initially extended.